Religion must promote unity - Eckankar

Eckankar Ghana, the Religion of Light and Sound of God, recently held an Inter-religious Thanksgiving Musical Concert under the theme “Uniting Ghana: The Role of Religion”.

The idea behind this initiative was to bring the country’s religious groups together, in love, to give thanks to God, for how far we have come as a Nation. It was also aimed at fostering unity and peace through religious integration. Unity must be constantly fostered and every opportunity for it must be seized.

The concert, which was held on Sunday, 13th October, 2013, at the Temple of ECK, Accra, was, indeed, unique and historic, as this was the first of its kind that religious groups and well-meaning Ghanaians came together under one roof to give thanks to the Almighty God.

In her welcome address, the President of Eckankar Ghana, Madam Charlotte Asante, expressed her sincere gratitude to God and her appreciation to the young people of the Nation for having gathered for this momentous occasion, which according to her was historic and a dream come true. She said the concert would be held periodically to drum home the need for all to live in harmony.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr Victor Moffat, President of THINK Africa said: “The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up to the total religious integration in the country. Our religious tolerance is therefore what has held us together. We must seek to be united through our various religious outlets.” He defined the acronym GHANA as ‘God Has A Nation Available’ and that without religious tolerance, we will lose our identity as a nation of God.

Gracing the occasion, Rt. Rev. Dr. Kweku Nsiah Agyarko, President of Global Council of Churches and Ministers, thanked God for bringing His people together to sing in unison in thanksgiving. He reiterated that ‘our coming together is what makes us the people of God and that prayers of religious people are those God listens to. There is therefore the need for the people of God to stay together’.

In their goodwill messages, some of the representatives of the political parties, Dr. Henry Lartey (GCPP) and Archibald Cobbina (NPP), sought to bring Ghanaians together as great people of one nation and one people of a common goal.

Dr. Henry Lartey of GCPP said, “We are Ghanaians and proud to be so. We have peace and we are the most hospitable people in the world.”

Mr. Archibald Cobbina, who represented the NPP said he felt really great to be a Ghanaian and that this unique occasion was history. He saluted all for being part of this wonderful programme, which according to him, could not happen in many countries.

The participating choirs and groups were from different religious faiths such as Christians (Methodist, Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian, an inter-denominational choir), Islam (Ahmaddiyah Moslem Women Group). Other religious faith groups included Hare-Krishna and of course, Eckankar Ghana.

The event also had a feel of the performance by a guest artist, Oba Abi, a gospel singer and the singing group of Great Seed Chapel International.

Participants who came from all walks of life, really enjoyed themselves as they sang and danced to inspiring, melodious and hearty songs in thanksgiving to God for seeing the Nation through peaceful elections in December, 2012 and a peaceful verdict on the Election Petition on 29th August, 2013.

Other participants included some clergy from the various religious faiths.

In her closing remarks, the President of Eckankar explained that the HU is a Prayer Song and a Love Song to God, which belongs to all and could be sang, in addition to one’s prayer, regardless of one’s belief or religion to become more aware of God’s love. We as children of God, are HU-man beings and as we sing the song of HU, it opens our hearts for love and allows us tune in to the song of love that flows from the source of all life. (www.eckankar.org for more information)

Sustaining this program would continue to promote the unity and understanding among all religions in the country and by so doing unite the peoples of our dear Motherland.